Planoaraph co



H. S THOMAS. AMUSEMENT'DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3 19I9- 1 ,3 1 6 81 9. v Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

. 4 SHEETISM Jlbr: e 7:230 ZIuJacS:

H. S. THOMAS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

7 APPLICATION FILED APR. 3.1919. 1,316,81 9. Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

TH'B COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII C0. WASHINGNN, D. C.

H. S. THOMAS.

- AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. 1919.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

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mussmem DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1919. 1,316,819. PatentedSept. 23, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- HUGH S. THOMAS, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

Application filed April 3, 1919. Serial No. 287,107.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, HUGH S. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States,residin at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and tate of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to amusement devices designed particularlyfor use in concessions at summer resorts or the like, and has for anobject to provide means consisting primarily of a plurality of figuresof animals or the like mounted for movement along tracks in parallelismthrough the medium of any suitable power means, and

a separate means operable by the patrons and individually operable tocontrol the speed or rate of motion of the figure assigned to eachpatron.

Another object of the invention isto provide an amusement device havingthe characteristics above set forth in which a plurality of controllingmeans are provided for use by the patrons of the device in the form of awheel or handle adapted to be rotated by the several patrons and agovernor mechanism operated thereby to change the speed of movement ofthe traveling figures uniformly in proportion tothe speed of rotation ofthe controlling device up to a certain point, and thence inverselyrelative to the speed of rotation of the controlling devices for thepurpose of insuring more or less difficulty'upon the part of the patronto obtain maximum speed of the figures and consequently to arouse andretain the interest in the device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a controllingmeans for amusement devices having the characteristics set forth aboveand including crowned pulleys around which cords or other flexibleelements are wound by power means for the purpose of causing travel ofthe figures, and a rotating manual operable means associated with thegovernor means for causing the cables to wind either at the maximum orminimum diameter of the pulley according to the speed of the governorand controlling mechanisms whereby to vary the speed of travel of thefigures.

.A still furth object f the invention is to provide an elctricallyoperable means to indicate visibly the number of the figure firstarriving at the goal.

In addition to the foregoing, this invention comprehends improvements inthe details of construction and arrangement of parts, to be hereinafterdescribed and particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which similar and corresponding partsare designated by the same characters of reference throughout theseveral views in which they pp Figure 1 is a view in horizontal sectionof an amusement device embodying my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a View thereof in transverse and vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a view inside elevation partly in section of the controllingportion of my improvement.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line Jr-l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical elements of myimprovements in their various connections.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a circuit closing switch and Fig 7 is adetail view of a magnetic latch.

1th reference to the drawings, 10 indicates a shed or the like designedto contain the traveling figures forming a part of this apparatus. Apair of shafts 11 and 12 are extended transversely of the shed atopposite ends and suitably journaled for rotation, and mounted upon saidshaft are pulleys l3 and 14 respectively. An inclined support 15 isprovided within the shed extending substantially from end to end andformed with track ways 16 to support a plurality of figures 17 which'may be in the form of horses or other animals. Cables 18 are passed overthe pulleys 14 and connected at one end to the figures and at theiropposite ends with weights 19 designed to urge the figures toward theright hand end of the shed or at a startlng position. Cables 20 areconnected to the opposite ends of the figures and then pass over thepulleys 13, and thence over pulleys 21, extended from withoutthe shed toa bank of pulleys 22, and then the cables are dip indi idually O a P 1rality of pulleys 23 arranged in spaced relation at the rear of acounter 24 located forwardly of the shed in parallelism thereto. Locatedbeneath the counter is a controlling mechanism comprising a plurality ofunits, one unit being shown in detail in Fig. 3. It will be apparentthat a shaft 25 is extended longitudinally of the counter and mountedupon the shaft at various points, spaced there-along are crowned pulleys26, corresponding in number to the number of figures 17 employed. Saidpulleys are loosely mounted upon the shaft, and the ends of the cables20after passlng around the pulleys 23 are secured to the said pulleyswhereby when the pulleys are set in motion the cables will be woundthereupon to cause the figures 17 to travel from the right hand end ofthe shed toward the left along the track ways. Each pulley 26 isprovided with a sleeve 27 having an enlargement 28, and said sleeve isOurnaled within a bearing 29 supported upon the floor of the counter.The left hand end of the shaft 25 is squared as at 30 and is slidablyinserted in a sleeve 31 which is secured in turn to the shaft of a motoror other source of power 32. The opposite end of the shaft 25 isslidably mounted in a bearing bracket 33, and a collar 34 is'secured tothe shaft. A coiled spring 35 is interposed between the bearing bracket33 and the collar 34 to normally urge the shaft toward the left. Inorder to retain the shaft in an adjusted position when shifted to theright for a purpose which will be presently noted I provide a mechanismconsisting of a support 36 upon which a lever 37 is fulcrumed. havingthe lower end thereof connected by means of a link 38 to a collar 39loosely mounted upon the shaft. A collar 40 is fixedly secured to theshaft and bears against the collar 39. Also pivotally connected to thecollar 39 is latch arm 41 having one end formed with a hook portion toengage a keeper 42 forming part of a magnetic latch shown in detail inFig. 7. The keeper 42 is pivotally mounted and depending therefrom is acore 43 whichdepends into a solenoid 44, a coiled spring 45 surroundingthe core engages a pin 46 secured thereto to urge the keeper 42 up ward.A pin 47 extending laterally from the latch arm 41 rests upon theextension of the shaft 25 to retain the latch arm in an elevatedposition. One end of each pulley 26 is formed with a flange 48 which isformed with oppositely disposed notches, and secured to the shaftopposite each flange 48 is a collar 49 having oppositely extend ing pins50 designed to enter the notches of the flange when the shaft 25 isshifted to the right to thereby simultaneously look all 1 the pulleysto'the shaft.

Located beneath the counter are a plurality of controlling unitscorresponding in number to the number of pulleys 26, each unitconsisting of a vertical standard 51 supporting a vertical shaft 52 forrotation, at its upper end, the upper end of the shaft extending throughthe counter 24 and provided With either a crank arm or as shown wheels53 carrying eccentrically mounted handles 54. Mounted upon each shaft 52is a governor mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely extending arms55 carrying pivota-lly connected links 56 upon the outer ends of whichare mounted weights 57. Also pivotally connected to the links 56 areother links 58 forming a toggle joint, said links 58 being connected attheir opposite ends to a collar 59 which is slidably mounted upon theshaft 52, and formed with said collar 58 is a grooved flange 60. Anextension 61 is formed upon the standard 51 to support a bell crank, onearm 62 of which is extended toward the flange 60 and provided with a pin63 which enters the flange collar whereby vertical movement of thecollar will rock the bell crank. The other arm of the bell crank isextended toward the pulley 26 and is provided with an opening 64 throughwhich the cable 20 must pass before being wound about the pulley 26. Itwill be observed that the apertured end of the bell crank is designed tosweep across the face of the pulley from one end to the other for apurpose to be presently noted.

In operation, the motor or other source of power 32 is set in motion andkept continually in motion throughout the period the apparatus is inuse. In order to start motion of the figures the operator grasps thelever 37 rocking the same so as to shift the shaft 25 to the right untilthe latch arm 41 is engaged upon the keeper 42. This movement will bringthe pin 50 of the collars 49 into simultaneous engagement with theflanges 48 to thereby set the pulley 26 in motion. Obviously, the cables20 are now wound about the pulleys 26 causing the figures to move towardthe left. At the beginning of the operation each patron is assigned toone of the wheels 53. It is intended that the patron rapidly rotates thewheel 53 whereupon the governor balls 57 will fly out and rock the bellcrank so as to dispose the arm 63 thereof more or less centrally of thepulley. Obviously, the cable 20 will be wound upon the larger diameterof the pulley unless the speed of rotation of the wheel 53 is increasedunduly whereupon the cable will wind upon the other end of the pulley orupon the smaller diameter and obviously the speed of movement of thefigure will decrease. If the patron is skilful enough to keep the cablewinding upon the largest portion of the puley a maximum speed of motionof the figure will be obtained and hence, those patrons most skilfullyoperating their; controlling '-0 the shed than those patrons who areless skilful and who cannot obtain a requisite speed of rotation of thewheel 53.

I am aware that devices of the character above set forth have beenheretofore suggested in which the figures are operated or caused totravel directly by power furnished by operation of the patrons operatingdevices, but I am not aware that any means has heretofore been providedfor causing travel of the figures by power means, with a separate meansoperable by each patron for controlling the speed of movement of thefigures.

In addition to the foregoing mechanism I have devised a means toautomatically arrest motion of the shaft 25 or pulley 26 when one of thefigures first reaches its ultimate destination. To this end I havedevised an electrical system of devices shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5in which A indicates a plurality of circuit closers, each comprising aswitch :arm 65 pivotally mounted as at 66 and normally resting against astoppin 67, said switch arm being held in engagement with the stop pinby means of a coiled spring 68 which is connected at one end to a pinmounted upon the arm and at its opposite end to a pin extending from thebase plate 69 which supports the switch.

The pin 70 extending from the base plate is located directly beneath thefulcrum point 66 so that the spring passing above the center 66 willretain the switch arm in either a right or left hand position accordingto the direction in which it is swung. One of these switch devices islocated above each track of the run Way 15, and each figure is providedwith a laterally extending pin 71 whereby when a figure reaches itsmaximum point of travel to the left the pin will engage the arm 65 tomove-the latter toward the left and into engagement with a pair ofspaced contacts 72 and 73. I also provide a plurality of magneticcircuit closers indicate-d generally at B, attention being called to thefact that the circuit closers .A as well as B correspond in number tothe number of figures 17 employed. Each circuit closer B comprises aswitch arm 74 'fulcrumed as at '75 and normally held against a righthand contact plate 76 through the medium of a dead center springconnection similar to the spring device shown in connection with theswitches A Fig. 6. Each switch arm 7 4 is provided with an armatureadapted to be attracted by an electro-magnet 77 whereby when the latteris energized the arm is attracted toward the-leftinto engagement with acontact plate .78, the engagement thereof withthe contact plate 76 beingsimultane ously broken. :I also provide a plura'lity of signal devices,preferably in the form of .it will be noted that the connections thusestablished are such that a lead 80 is extended from each contact plate78 to its corresponding lamp 79 in the bank. Also, the fulcrum point 7 5of each switch arm 74 is connected by means of a lead 81 to the nextadjacent contact plate 76 of the next adjacent switch device B. Eachcontact plate 7 2 of the series of switches A is connected by means of alead 82 to oneterminal of the electro-magnet 77 of an adjacent circuitcloser of the series B, the circuit closers A and B being arranged inpairs for cooperation. A source of electric current is indicated at 83,and one terminal thereof is connected to one terminal of the solenoid 44mentioned above by means of a lead 84, the other terminal of thesolenoid 44 being in turn connected with each of the contact plates 73by means of a lead 85. The arm 74 of the end circuit closer of theseries B is then connected by means of a lead 86 to said terminal of thesource of current source of current is connected at the one hand bymeans of a lead 87 to all of the in candescent lamps 79 and on the otherhand by means of a lead 88 to each one of the arms 65 of the series ofcircuit closers A. Also, said terminal of the source of current 83 isconnected by means of a lead 89 to the lead 85, said lead 89 havinginterposed therein a push button or other form of circuit closer 90.Each of the heretofore unmentioned terminals of the electromagnets 77 ofthe circuit closers B are then connected together or to a common lead 91and said lead in turn connected'to the plate 76 of the first circuitcloser of the series B. The circuit closers of the series A and B arelocated at the left hand end of the run way 20 and at the opposite endof the shed there is mounted a transversely extending shaft 92 carryinga plurality of pulleys 93 around which cables 94 are passed, said cablesbeing connected at their opposite ends to the arms 65 and 74 of thecircuit closers whereby when the shaft is rotated all of the arms may besimultaneously drawn to the right to bring operations take place one ofwhich is the transmission of current from the source of current 83through the lead 84: to solenoid a l, energizing the latter so as todraw down the core I3 and subsequently disengage the keeper 42 from thelatch arm 41 thereby permitting the shaft 25 to move to the left underthe influence of the spring 35 to simultaneously disconnect all thepulleys 26 from the shaft and thus immediately arrest motion of thefigures. The current returns through the lead 85 into the contact 73 ofthe circuit closer which was first actuated, then returning through thearm and lead 88 back to the battery or source of current. Also, currenttravels from the battery 83 through the lead 86 into the arm 74: of theendmost circuit closer of the series B, and through the cont-act 76 tothe next arm 7L and so on passing from one circuit closer to another tothe contact 76 of the right hand circuit closer, thence returningthrough the lead 91 to the electromagnet 77 and thence through a certainone of said electric magnets traveling to the contact plate 72 of thecircuit closer A which was actuated, thence through the arm 65 thereofand lead 88 back to the source of current. Obviously, the eleetro-magnet77 which was energized will draw over the arm 7% and immediately breakthe circuit thus established but immedi ately establish another circuitby contacting said arm with the adjacent contact plate 78. In thismanner an illuminating circuit will be established whereby current flowsfrom the battery through the lead 86 and arm 74: of the actuated switchB, thence into the contact plate 78 to the lead 80 and lamp 79 in saidcircuit, returning through the leads 87 to the source of current. Itwill be obvious that immediately one of the circuit closers of theseries B becomes actuated the cOntr0lling circuit therefor is broken andshould one of the other figures 17 immediately reach its destination orshortly thereafter it will be unable to result in an illumination of anyother of the lamps 79 because of the dis establishment of thecontrolling circuit.

Thus, it will be seen that I have devised a novel form of amusementapparatus of the type set forth wherein the figures are operatedentirely through power means thereby relieving the patron of fatiguewhich is a disadvantage of apparatus of this kind heretofore provided atthe same time supplying the patron with ample means for controlling themovement of the figure assigned to him. It will furthermore be seen thatI have devised a novel form of electrically operable means forimmediately arresting motion of the apparatus upon the arrival of theforemost figure at its destination and for simultaneously indicatingvisibly the number of the winning figure. Other advantages will bereadily apparent to those familiar with this art. i

l/Vhile I have illustrated and described my invention with some degreeof particularity,

I realize that in practice various, alterations therein may be made. Itherefore reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of thedetails of construction, or otherwise altering the arrangement of thecorrelated parts without departing from the means including governormechanism manually operable to vary the speed of travel of the figures.

2. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a unitary power means for moving all of said figures, and a plurality ofcontrolling mechanisms each including a manual operable governormechanism for controlling the application of power to its associatedfigure.

3. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a unitary power mechanism for moving all of said figures, and aplurality of controlling mechanisms corresponding in number to thenumber of figures in each controlling mechanism including a manuallyoperable and rotatable governor mechanism for varying the application ofpower to its associated figure.

4. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a unitary power means fordriving all of said figures, and a plurality ofcontrolling mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of figureseach including a shaft, a wheel manually rotatable, and a governormechanism of the toggle and ball type operable by centrifugal force toactuate the controlling mechanism to vary the application of power toits associated figure.

5. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a unitary power mechanism for moving said figures including flexibleelements forming connections between the power mechanism and figures, awinding mechanism for winding the flexible elements, and controllingmechanism for controlling the winding mechanism to vary the applicationof power to the figures.

6. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a uni tary power means for driving the same, including flexible elementsconnecting the power means with the figures, a pluralityof windingmechanisms corresponding in numher to the number of figures for windingthe flexible elements, and a. plurality of controlling means one foreach winding mecha nism to control movement of the latter to vary theapplication of power to the figures and consequently vary the speedthereof.

7 In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a uni tary power mechanism including flexible elements connecting thelatter with the figures, a plurality of winding mechanisms correspondingin number to the number of figures and operable by the power means, anda plurality of governor mechanisms one for each winding mechanismmanually operable to control movement of the latter whereby to vary theapplication of power to each figure.

8. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a unitary power mechanism for driving same including flexible elementsconnecting the power mechanism with the figures, a plurality of windingmechanisms one for each figure for taking up the flexible elements, anda governor mechanism for each winding mechanism for controlling movementof the latter.

9. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures,a unitary power mechanism for moving the same including flexibleelements connecting the power mechanism with the figures, a plurality ofwinding mechanisms for taking up the flexible elements and correspondingin number to the number of figures, and a plurality of manually operableand governor mechanisms having connections with its respective windingmechanism whereby to control the latter to consequently vary the speedof winding of the flexible elements to vary the speed of travel to itsassociated figure.

10. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a unitary power mechanism for moving the figures includingflexible elements connecting the same, winding mechanisms for theflexible elements, a controlling mechanism for each winding mechanism tocontrol the rate of winding, and manually operable governors foractuating the controlling means.

11. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a unitary power means for moving said figures includingflexible elements connecting the same, a means for each figure to windits associated flexible element, a plurality of controlling means, eachincluding an oscillatable arm engaging one of the cables to shift thesame to vary the speed of winding, and a plurality of manually operablegovernor means for actuating said oscillatable arms.

12. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a unitary power mechanism, a plurality of flexible cablesconnecting the power mechanism with the figures, a plurality of windingmechanisms for winding said cables, a plurality of winding controlsincluding oscillatable arms each engaging one of the cables to shift thesame to vary the speed of winding, and a plurality of governormechanisms including rotatable shafts manually rotatable, toggle membergovernor mechanisms ineluding shiftable collars movable by the togglemechanism, and means connecting said oscillatable arms with therespective shiftable collars.

13. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a power means for moving said figures, flexible elementsconnecting the power means with the figures, a plurality of windingmeans corresponding in number to the number of figures for winding saidflexible elements, a plurality of controlling means for controlling thespeed of winding of the flexible elements, a plurality of governormechanisms for operating the controlling means, and a clutch mechanismfor establishing communi cation between the power means and said,Winding means.

14:. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of movable figures, a powermeans for operating the same including flexible elements connectingpower means with the figures, a plurality of controlling means forcontrolling the rate of winding of the flexible elements, a plurality ofgovernor mechanisms for operating said controlling means, and aplurality of clutch mechanisms simultaneously operable to connect thepower means with the respective winding mechanisms.

15. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a unitary power means for operating the same, a shaft, aplurality of pulleys looselymounted thereon, flexible elementsconnecting said pulleys with the figures, means for varying the rate ofwinding of said cables upon the pulleys, and manually operable means foroperating said controlling means.

16. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a unitary power means for driving the same, a shaft, aplurality of pulley loosely mounted upon the shaft, flexible elementsconnecting said pulleys with their respective figures, manually operablemeans forvarying the speed of winding of the cables upon their pulleys,and a plurality of clutch mechanisms simultaneously connecting thepulleys with the shaft.

17. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a unitary power means for driving the same, a shaft, aplurality of pulleys loosely mounted v upon the shaft, a plurality ofcontrolling rality of relatively movable figures, a unitary power meansfor operating the same, a longitudinally movable shaft, a plurality ofpulleys mounted thereon, flexible elements connecting the pulleys withthe figures,

means for varying the speed of Winding of the flexible elements upon thepulleys, means for moving said shaft, and a plurality of means operableupon movement of said shaft to connect the latter with their respectivepulleys.

19. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a longitudinally movable shaft, a plurality of pulleys mountedon said shaft, flexible elements connecting said pulleys with thefigures, a flange carried by each pulley having a plurality of notchestherein, means for preventing longitudinal movement of the pulleys, aplurality of pinscarried by the shaft for engagement with the notchcollar, means for shiftin the shaft to cause such engagement to lock thepulleys to the shaft, and continuously operating means for rotating theshaft.

20. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a longitudinally movable shaft, a plurality of pulleys looselymounted upon the shaft, flanged sleeves carried by the pulleys, bearingssupporting the sleeve whereby to permit rotation of the pulleys but toprevent longitudinal movement thereof, a clutch me nber carried by eachpulley, an associated clutch member for each of said first mentionedclutch members mounted upon the shaft, resilient means acting upon theshaft to retain the clutch members in disengaged position, manualoperable means for shifting the shaft to cause engagement between theclutch members, and a continuously operating means for rotating theshaft.

21. In an amusement device, a plurality of relatively movable figures, alongitudinally movable shaft, a plurality of pulleys carried thereon,flexible elements connecting said pulleys with the figures, a pluralityof clutch mechanisms operable when the shaft is shifted to causeengagement thereloetween to lock the pulleys to the shaft, resilientmeans urging the shaft toward a clutch disengaging position, means forshifting the clutch, a latch mechanism for retaining the shaft inshifted position, means for varying the speed of winding of the cablesupon the pulleys, a continuously operating means i for rotating theshaft, and means for disengaging the latch mechanism to permit the shaftto return to normal position.

22. In an amusement device, a plurality of relatively movable figures, aplurality of crowned pulleys, flexible elements wound upon the pulleysand connected to the figures, means for rotating the pulleys, and meansfor causing the cables to wind upon different portions of the pulley tovary the relative movement of the figures.

23. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a plurality of crowned pulleys, flexible elements wound uponthe pulleys and connected to the figures, means for constantly rotatingthe pulleys, and a plurality of manually operable means one for eachpulley to shift the fieXible elements along the pulleys to thereby varythe relative speed of travel of the figures.

24. In an amusement device, a plurality of relatively movable figures, aplurality of pulleys larger in diameter at their intermediate portionand smaller in diameter at their end portion, flexible elements woundupon the pulleys and connected to the figures, means for rotating- "thepulleys, and manually operable means engaging the cables to cause thesame to wind at either the larger or smaller diameter of the pulleysaccordingly as the manually operable means is manipulated to therebyvary the relative speed of travel of the figures.

25. In an amusement device, a plurality of relatively movable figures, aplurality of pulleys having curved surfaces to provide a larger diameterat their intermediate portions and smaller diameters at their endportions, flexible elements wound upon the pulleys and connected to thefigures, a plurality of manually operable governor mechanisms, and meansassociated with the governor mechanism and connected to the cables tocause the latter to wind upon the larger or smaller portions of thepulleys accordingly as the governor mechanism is rotated faster orslower to thereby vary the relative speed of travel of the figures. 26.In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movable figures, aplurality of crowned pulleys, flexible elements wound upon the pulleysand connected to the figures, means for rotating said pulleys, aplurality of oscillatable arms having apertures through which the cablepasses, and a governor means for each oscillatable arm manually operableto lock the arms wherebv to cause the cable to wind upon the larger orsmaller diameters of the pulleys depending upon the speed of rotation ofthe governor mechanisms to thereby vary the speed of travel of thefigures.

27. In. an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, means for moving said figures, and a manually operable means,operable to increase the speed or movement of the figures in proportionto the speed of operation of the manually operable means up to apredetermined point, and thence to cause a decrease in speed of thefigures upon a continued increase in speed of the manually operablemeans.

28. In an amusement apparatus, a movable figure, means for moving saidfigure, and a manually operable means for varylng the speed of travel ofthe figure in proportion to the speed of manipulation of the operatingmeans, up to a predetermined point and for causing variation of speed oftravelin proportion to the speed of manipulation of the controllingmeans when the movement of the latter is operated at a speed beyond saidpredetermined point.

29. In an amusement apparatus, a movable figure power means for movingsaid figure, and a manually operable means for varying the speed oftravel of the figure in proportion to the speed of manipulation of themanually operable means up to a certain speed of movement of the saidmanual operable means, and for causing a decrease in speed of the figureupon a further increase in speed of operation of the manual means andbeyond the predetermined point of speed of the latter.

30. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a shaft, a pulley mounted thereon, a flexible cable passedaround the pulley and connected to the figure, a bell crank having anaperture at one end to receive the cable and mounted 'to permit saidapertured end to sweep across the face of the pulley a vertical shaft, acollar slidably mounted on the shaft, a connection between the other armof the bell crank and said collar, a ball governor mounted on said shaftand connected to the collar whereby to shift the latter during rotationof the shaft in one direction or the other, means for rotating theshaft, and means for rotating the first mentioned shaft.

31. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality ofrelatively movable figures,a longitudinally movable shaft, a plurality of pulleys loosely mountedthereon, clutch members between the shaft and pulleys, means forrotating the shaft, means for shifting the shaft to engage the clutches,a latch member on the shaft, a keeper pivotally mounted to engage thelatch member to retain the shaft in shifted position, and means operablewhen one of the figures has reached its destination to actuatethe keepertorelease the shaft, and resilient means for returning the shaft tonormal position.

32. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of relatively movablefigures, a shiftable shaft, pulleys thereon, means connecting 38. In anamusement apparatus, a plurality of movable figures, a plurality ofcircuit closers each engageable by its cooperating figure a plurality ofsignals, and a source of current connecting the same whereby theactuation of one circuit closer will complete the circuit through itscorrelated signal to cause the latter to display.

34. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of movable figures, aplurality of circuit closers one for each figure, a plurality of signalsin circuit with said circuit closers, and means operable when one ofsaid circuit closers is actuated to complete a circuit through itscorrelated signal to display the latter and to simultaneously break thecircuit through the remaining circuit closers to prevent display of anyof the other signals.

35. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of movable figures, aplurality of track circuit closers one for each figure engageablethereby, a plurality of magnetically operable secondary circuit closersin circuit with the first circuit closer circuit including electricallyoperable signals in circuit with the second circuit closers and a sourceof current for said circuits whereby the movement of one of the firstcircuit closers to closed position will energize the correspondingcircuit closers of the second series to complete the circuit through thesignal asso-- ciated therewith and simultaneously break the circuitthrough said second circuit closers to prevent the actuation of any ofthe remaining members thereof.

36. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of movable figures, aplurality of circuit closers one for each figure engageable thereby, asecond series of circuit closers connected one to another in series,magnetic means for moving the second series of circuit closers to closedposition, said magnetic means being in circuit with the first circuitclosers and a source of current and circuit including'signals connectedto said second series of circuit closers whereby the movement of any ofthe first circuit closers to closed position will initially energize itscorresponding electrical magnet to move its corresponding member of thesecond series of circuit closers to closed position to simultaneouslyestablish a circuit through the correlated signal and at the same timebreak the series circuit through said second series of circuit closersto prevent a further actuartion of any member of second series ofcircuit closers.

87. A magnetic latch including a, pivoted latch member, a core dependingtherefrom, a solenoid surrounding the core, a pin extending through thecore, and a spring interposed between said pin and the solenoid tonormally retain the latch member in an 10 upward position, the latterbeing lowered when the solenoid is energized.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature inpresence of a Witness.

Witness WM. ZEAMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, I). 0.

